Close Up hosts and takes part in a variety of civic engagement events, both in person and online, to help students and teachers discuss policy issues and connect with members of our nationwide community. These discussions, deliberations, and presentations allow participants to hear different perspectives from experts and each other, and consider new approaches to engaging with current issues.
National Deliberations for the 2024-25 School Year
Close Up and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL) will host online issue deliberations for students nationwide. The deliberations will take place virtually using Stanford’s online deliberation platform. Each event will be two hours total and include a synchronous deliberation followed by an expert panel.
Fall Deliberation
Spring Deliberations
We will be hosting a national deliberation for students during Civic Learning Week (March 10-14, 2025). More information coming soon!
- Sign up to receive more updates on our High School Deliberation
- Sign up to receive more updates on our University Deliberation
Requirements for participation: Every student will need to read briefing materials ahead of the event, log on from their own device with headphones, and complete pre- and post- deliberation surveys. Dates and times subject to change. Deliberation topics will be announced in the fall.
AMLE24 51st Annual Conference for Middle Level Education
November 6-9, 2024 | Nashville, TN
Come and see Close Up at booth #502 at AMLE24, an opportunity to explore new strategies and best practices in middle level education, meet peers who share your passion for the middle grades, and gain inspiration and motivation you can bring back to your school community.
Association for Migrant Educators of Texas 2024 Conference
November 20-22, 2024 | Corpus Christi, TX
Close Up is thrilled to be attending the AMET 2024 Conference, “Anchored in Excellence, Rising Together.” Come talk to us to find out how our civic education opportunities for migrant students align with AMET’s mission to support migrant students and educators of migrant students across Texas.
Civic Engagement Beyond Election Day: How to Make a Lasting Impact
November 21, 2024 | 7-8pm EST | FREE to all high school students
In this free webinar, high school students have the opportunity to explore practical ways to stay civically active beyond Election Day. You’ll learn about local advocacy, community organizing, and how to join or create initiatives that address issues you care about. Discover how you can influence policy, volunteer for causes, and continue to make a difference in your community year-round!
SIGN UP >
104th National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
November 22-24, 2024 | Boston, MA
Don’t miss Close Up at booth #611 at NCSS, an incredible opportunity to meet and network with thousands of social studies educators from across the country and leave with new strategies and best practices for engaging instruction.
Teaching with Disciplined Nonpartisanship
December 5, 2024 | 12-1pm EST | FREE to all
This workshop will equip educators with the skills to facilitate discussions around controversial issues while maintaining a neutral position. Teachers will explore strategies to expose students to a diversity of perspectives, cultivating in students a willingness to listen deeply and patiently and engage regularly with arguments with which they disagree.
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2025 NNSP Annual Conference
February 5-7, 2025 | Washington, DC | Open to NNSP members and non-members
$650/members | $750/non-members
Join us in February for the NNSP Annual Conference on Community & Civic Engagement as we bring together educators from across the country to collaborate around the development of community and civic engagement programs in schools. The conference will provide educators with tangible examples of how schools can integrate opportunities for students to learn about issues in their communities, connect their learning to those issues, and create a student body with empathy, knowledge, and leadership skills to make meaningful change.
Submit a Proposal >
Democracy in the Digital Age Summer Institute
June 22–27, 2025 | Stanford University | Palo Alto, CA
How does technology impact our society and politics? What policies do we need to ensure that technology plays a productive role in our future? During this weeklong institute, hosted in partnership by Close Up and the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University (DDL), students will explore how rapid changes in technology impact our democracy and elections, the global environment, education and learning, and labor and the workforce. You’ll hear from tech innovators, policymakers, academics, and advocates to evaluate a variety of policy options at the intersection of technology and society, and produce a youth report with recommendations on how to make social media more democratic. All attendees will be eligible for a Certification in Civil Discourse through Close Up and DDL.
LEARN MORE > INFO SESSION >
